Piyush Tewari is honoured for his Zero-Fatality Solution, cutting road crash deaths by up to 67% on 36 highways in 16 states.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): Amid growing recognition of grassroots innovation as a force for systemic change, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum, on August 9, 2025 honored Piyush Tewari with the 16th Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award (SEOY) – India 2025.
The prestigious award was presented at a ceremony in New Delhi, in the distinguished presence of Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister, Govt. of India and India’s Sherpa to G7 and G20, along with dignitaries from policy, business, academia and civil society.
The work of this year’s winner and finalists put the spotlight on the varied societal challenges ranging from poverty alleviation, improving road safety & emergency medical care, building sustainable livelihoods for rural artisans and community led development in underserved regions.
Piyush Tewari
Piyush Tewari has been recognised for his pioneering work in road safety and emergency care through the Zero-Fatality Solution (ZFS), a data-driven model deployed across 36 highways in 16 states, significantly reducing road crash deaths by up to 67% on key corridors. Under his leadership, SaveLIFE Foundation has influenced landmark policy reforms such as the Good Samaritan Law, ensured safer travel for over 190 million people and mobilised over USD 70 million in public investment for road safety infrastructure and trauma care. His approach combines engineering, enforcement, emergency response and community engagement to create safer roads nationwide.
Social institutions are essential for the betterment of society.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Suresh Prabhu, applauded the awardees, stating, “The greater contribution of all the social entrepreneurs is truly commendable. My congratulations to all finalists. The final goal is to make all lives happy. Social institutions are essential for the betterment of society. Today’s program will be another accelerator in that direction. I feel fortunate to be here — among those who are working to make the lives of others better.”
Social entrepreneurs in India continue to inspire the world
Echoing this sentiment, Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson, of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum and Co-Founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said, “Social entrepreneurs in India continue to inspire the world with their deep-rooted commitment to equity, inclusion and innovation. This year’s finalists have built locally embedded, people-centric models—from empowering rural women to transforming public safety—that deliver real, systemic change. Social entrepreneurship is about reshaping how societies function through empathy, courage and resilience. As we mark 16 years of partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, we are proud to celebrate these visionary leaders who are redefining development and influencing global conversations on inclusive growth.”
This year’s finalists are true nation-builders
Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman and Founder and Hari S Bhartia, Chairman & Co-Founder, of Jubilant Bhartia Group and Founder Directors of Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, congratulated the winner and finalists and shared, “This year’s finalists are true nation-builders. Their work—in the areas of public safety, women’s economic empowerment, rural innovation and artisan leadership embody a spirit of self-reliance and dignity. Through the SEOY India platform, we are proud to honour changemakers who are solving India’s toughest challenges with deep local insight that have global relevance.” They further added, “The world of business has much to learn from social entrepreneurs—their proximity to the problem, agility in response and purpose-driven approach. This platform is our commitment to fostering cross-sector collaboration that drives national good.”
They also mentioned the formal launch of Bharat Impact – The Jubilant Bhartia Cente for Social Entrepreneurship, a collaborative initiative to provide mentorship, incubation support and networking opportunities to social entreprenuers across India. This will act as a ecosystem for social entrepreneurship in India helping in scaling up social innovations.
Other finalists
In addition to Piyush Tewari, the other finalists for the award included Nagakarthik MP of Sauramandala Foundation, who has been creating decentralised development hubs in the Northeast through community-led governance and policy integration; Kalpanaa Sankar of Hand in Hand Foundation, who has pioneered a development organisation committed to eradicating poverty through sustainable, community-led interventions; and Sumita Ghose of Rangsutra Crafts India, who has empowered more than 8,000 rural women artisans through an inclusive, co-owned craft enterprise.
Now in its 16th year, the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award – India is a joint initiative of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation. It continues to celebrate transformative leaders who are driving large-scale impact through innovative, inclusive, and sustainable approaches.
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
In partnership with the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is the foremost global community of pioneering social innovators driving systemic change. It was co-founded by Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum, and Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Since 1998, the Schwab Foundation has supported the world’s leading social innovators in creating systemic change and drive the transition to a stakeholder economy. The Schwab Foundation provides unparalleled platforms regionally and globally to highlight and advance leading models of sustainable social innovation.
(India CSR)
